U.S. patent application number 12/616184 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for combination of hose reel and carrier.
Invention is credited to Charlotte T. Wang.
Application Number | 20100147987 12/616184 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41498235 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100147987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Charlotte T. |
June 17, 2010 |
Combination of Hose Reel and Carrier
Abstract
A carrier includes a pedestal adapted to be in engagement with a
supporting surface when resting on the supporting surface, at least
two wall structures mounted on the pedestal. A supported member is
supported by the wall structures and includes a proximal end
receiving one wall structure and a distal end receiving another
wall structure. A support wall is connected to the supported member
and disposed between the wall structures. A hose reel is
selectively mounted between one of the wall structures and the
support wall when the other wall structure is abutted by a wall
that supports this combination and prevents against any accidental
movement during the operation thereof.
Inventors: |
Wang; Charlotte T.; (Baldwin
Park, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
41498235 |
Appl. No.: |
12/616184 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/395 ;
242/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/38 20130101;
E03C 1/18 20130101; B08B 3/006 20130101; B65H 2701/33 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/395 ;
242/399 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/44 20060101
B65H075/44; B65H 75/38 20060101 B65H075/38; B65H 75/40 20060101
B65H075/40; B65H 75/30 20060101 B65H075/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2008 |
CN |
200820130255.X |
Claims
1. A combination comprising: at least two wall structures; and a
hose reel selectively mounted on one of the wall structures when
the other wall structure is abutted by a wall that supports this
combination and prevents against any accidental movement during the
operation thereof.
2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
pedestal adapted to be in engagement with a supporting surface when
resting on the supporting surface, wherein the pedestal includes
first and second sides being opposite to each other, a flange with
an inner and outer peripheral edges joining and extending along
circumferential edges of the first and second sides, and a
plurality of slots inset on the outer peripheral edge of the
flange, and wherein the flange and the second side cooperate to
form a recess.
3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein each slot extends
from the first side to the second side, and with the slots being
parallel to one another.
4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of
slots are disposed in two opposing sections of the peripheral edge
of the flange, and wherein the number of slots on each section is
equal.
5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pedestal
includes a plurality of leg structures adapted to stably stand on
the supporting surface, and with the leg structure and the
supporting surface are in frictional engagement therebetween, and
wherein the leg structures act collectively to space the first and
second sides from the supporting surface.
6. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wall
structures are disposed oppositely and are erected on the pedestal
in the same direction, wherein each wall structure includes two
opposing surfaces, and with one of the surfaces including a
plurality of ribs protruded therefrom, and wherein one of the ribs
is engaged one of the plurality of slots to fix the wall structure
to the pedestal.
7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein the plurality of
ribs form a grid pattern that includes some ribs extending in a
first direction and some ribs extending in a second direction that
is transverse to the first direction.
8. The combination as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
supported member supported by the wall structures and including a
proximal end receiving one wall structure and a distal end
receiving another wall structure.
9. The combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein the supported
member includes one supporting member extending from its proximal
end and another supporting member extending from its distal end,
respectively, wherein the supported member further includes two
platforms supported by the supporting member, respectively, and
wherein the platforms are operable between an extended position and
a collapsed position.
10. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hose reel
includes an axle assembly including a first reel axle and a second
reel axle coupled to each other, a first connecting end defined in
the first reel axle and a second connecting end defined in the
second reel axle.
11. The combination as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
support wall disposed between the wall structures and being
positionable at various locations between the wall structures, and
wherein the hose reel is selectively mounted between one of the
wall structures and the support wall when the other wall structure
is abutted by a wall that supports this combination and prevents
against any accidental movement during the operation thereof.
12. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the hose reel
includes a disc installed on one of the first and second connecting
ends and prevented from relative rotation with respect to the one
of the first and second connecting ends.
13. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first and
second reel axles are telescopically connected with each other and
are prevented from relative rotation with respect to each
other.
14. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the hose reel is
rotatable in a plane transverse to a longitudinal length of the
axle assembly.
15. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first reel
axle includes an outer circumferential wall adapted to allow a hose
to be wound thereon, and a hose attaching member mounted therein
and including an end exposed outside the outer circumferential wall
for attaching the hose to the first reel axle.
16. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the hose reel
includes a crank selectively disposed on one of the wall structures
that is clear from the wall which supports the combination, with
the crank including a body, a sleeve extending therefrom and
inserting through the wall structure and engaging with the second
connecting end, and a controlling handle extending from the body,
and wherein the sleeve and the controlling handle extend in
opposite directions and are in non-coaxial relationship.
17. The combination as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a
support panel including a proximal end connected to one wall
structure and a distal end connected to the other wall
structure.
18. The combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the support
panel includes at least two slots, with one slot disposed at the
proximal end thereof to allow one rib of one wall structure to
engage therein, and with one slot disposed at the distal end
thereof to allow one rib of the other wall structure to engage
therein.
19. The combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the support
panel includes at least two brackets, and with one bracket disposed
at the proximal end and the other bracket disposed at the distal
end thereof, respectively, wherein the wall structure includes at
least two fixing members, and with one extending from the second
side of one wall structure and the other extending from the second
side of the other wall structure, and wherein the at least two
fixing members insert through the at least two brackets,
respectively.
20. The combination as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a
tray selectively mounted between the other of the wall structures
and the support wall, wherein one of the support wall and the tray
includes two opposing sides including a plurality of ribs protruded
therefrom, wherein the other of the wall and the tray includes two
opposing lateral peripheral edges including a plurality of slots
inset thereon, and wherein the tray is fixed between the support
wall and the other of the wall structures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a hose reel and a carrier
on which the hose reel is mounted.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,360 shows a hose reel carrier assembly
including a hose reel, which is operable to wind a hose thereon and
enables the hose unwind therefrom, mounted to a hose carrier. The
assembly is not embedded into a docking station and has mobility.
Therefore, it is customary that user will move the assembly to abut
against a wall in order to prevent the assembly from accidental
movement during the operation of the hose reel, provided that the
wall would not obstruct user to control an operation handle of the
hose reel. But, the reel device of this assembly is fixed and it
should be appreciated that the reel device can not change its
mounting position with respect to the hose carrier to avoid the
wall obstructing user to control the operation handle.
[0005] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or
at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention, a carrier includes a
pedestal which is adapted to be in engagement with a supporting
surface when resting on the supporting surface. The carrier further
includes at least two wall structures adapted to be mounted on the
pedestal. Further, a supported member is supported by the wall
structures and includes a proximal end receiving one wall structure
and a distal end receiving another wall structure. Further, a
support wall is connected to the supported member and disposed
between the wall structures. Further, a hose reel is selectively
mounted between one of the wall structures and the support wall
when the other wall structure is abutted by a wall that supports
this combination and prevents against any accidental movement
during the operation thereof. Therefore, the wall would not
obstruct user to operably control the hose reel.
[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For the present disclosure to be easily understood and
readily practiced, the present disclosure will now be described in
conjunction with the following figures, wherein;
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hose reel and a carrier in
accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hose and
carrier shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the hose reel shown in FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of the hose reel
but taken from a different view than that of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the present invention
and shows platforms of the carrier in a collapsed position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the present invention
and shows the hose reel disposed in a different position than that
of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the present invention
and shows the hose reel in a position clear from a wall, and with
the carrier supported by the wall such that the wall is adapted to
prevent the carrier assembly from an accidental movement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring to the drawings, a carrier 1 and a hose reel 2 in
accordance with the present invention are coupled to each other,
and the hose reel 2 is adapted to change its mounting position with
respect to the carrier 1 in order to avoid a wall, which is used to
support this combination and prevent against any accidental
movement during the operation thereof, to obstruct user to operably
control the hose reel 2. As best shown in FIG. 9, the carrier 1
includes back and left lateral sides abutting against the wall and
front and right lateral sides being clear from the wall, and the
hose reel 2 is installed on the right lateral side of the carrier 1
to avoid the wall to interfere the operation of the hose reel
2.
[0019] The carrier 1 can be rested on a supporting surface, such as
the ground, by a pedestal 10. The pedestal 10 includes first 101
and second 102 sides being opposite to each other. Preferably, the
first 101 and second 102 sides are parallel to each other.
Preferably, either of the first 101 and second 102 sides is
parallel to the supporting surface. Also, one of the first 101 and
second 102 sides can be used as a shelf for supporting things. In
the embodiment, the second side 102 is used as a shelf. The
pedestal 10 may include a plurality of leg structures 11 adapted to
stably stand on the supporting surface, and each leg structure 11
and the supporting surface are in frictional engagement
therebetween. Each leg structure 11 extends transversely to the
first 101 and second 102 sides, and the leg structures 11 act
collectively to space the sides 101, 102 from the supporting
surface. However, the pedestal 10 may include a plurality of wheels
moveable on the supporting surface to save effort on moving the
pedestal 10. The pedestal 10 further includes a flange 12 with an
inner and outer peripheral edges joining and extending along
circumferential edges of the first 101 and second 102 sides.
Preferably, the flange 12 encompasses the circumferential edges
completely. Further, the flange 12 protrudes above the second side
102. Therefore, the flange 12 and the second side 102 cooperate to
form a recess 103. The pedestal 10 also includes a plurality of
slots 13 inset on the flange 12. Each slot 13 extends from the
first side 101 to the second side 102 and is parallel to one
another. Furthermore, the number of slots 13 on each of two
opposing sections of the peripheral edge of the flange 12 is
equal.
[0020] The carrier 1 further includes two identical wall structures
20 mounted on the pedestal 10. The wall structures 20 are disposed
oppositely. Additionally, the wall structures 20 are erected on the
pedestal 10 in the same direction. Each wall structure 20 includes
two opposing surfaces 201 and 202, and one of the surfaces 201 and
202 includes a plurality of ribs 21 protruded therefrom, and one of
the ribs 21 is engaged in one of the plurality of slots 13 to fix
the wall structure 20 to the pedestal 10. Additionally, the ribs 21
form a grid pattern that includes some ribs 21 extending in a first
direction and some ribs 21 extending in a second direction that is
transverse to the first direction. The ribs 21 not only enable the
related wall structure 20 to fix to the pedestal 10, but also save
material without compromising its structural strength.
[0021] The carrier 1 further includes a supported member 50, such
as a sink as illustrated, supported by the wall structures 20. The
supported member 50 includes a proximal end receiving one wall
structure 20 and a distal end receiving another wall structure 20.
The supported member 50 is tight fitted with the wall structures
20. Nevertheless, fasteners may be used to insert through apertures
24 defined in the wall structures 20 and engage with the supported
member 50 to ensure secure engagement therebetween. The supported
member 50 may include a faucet 51 releasably installed thereto. The
supported member 50 may also include one supporting member 52
extending from its proximal end and another supporting member 52
extending from its distal end, respectively, and each supporting
member 52 is utilized to support a platform 53. The platforms 53
can be used as worktables or shelves. Additionally, the platforms
53 are operable between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1)
and a collapsed position (as shown in FIG. 6). In the embodiment,
the platforms 53 slide in a plane between the extended and
collapsed positions, and the platforms 53 are moved away from each
other when in the extended position whereas the platforms 53 are
moved towards each other and close an opening of the supported
member 50 when in the collapsed position.
[0022] The carrier 1 further includes a support wall 30 connected
to the supported member 50 and disposed between the wall structures
20. In the embodiment, the supported member 50 includes two
opposing lateral edges extending from the proximal end to the
distal end, and the support wall 30 includes two lugs 33 connected
to the lateral edges, respectively. The support wall 30 and one
wall structure 20 enable a tray 40 to install therebetween.
Additionally, the support wall 30 and the other wall structure 20
enable the hose reel 2 to install therebetween. The support wall 30
includes two opposing sides including a plurality of ribs 31
protruded therefrom. The ribs 31 form a grid pattern that includes
some ribs 31 extending in a first direction and some ribs 31
extending in a second direction that is transverse to the first
direction.
[0023] The tray 40 can be used as a shelf for supporting things.
The tray 40 includes a plurality of slots 41 inset on two of its
opposing lateral peripheral edges. Also, the plurality of slots 41
are parallel to one another. Furthermore, the number of slots 41 on
each of two opposing lateral peripheral edges is equal. The tray 40
is fixed between the support wall 30 and the wall structure 20 by
utilizing one rib 31 of the support wall 30 to support one lateral
peripheral edge and ribs 21 of the wall structure 20 to engage in
the slots 41 on the other lateral peripheral edge.
[0024] The hose reel 2 includes an axle assembly 70 including a
first reel axle 71 and a second reel axle 72 coupled to each other,
a first connecting end 712 defined in the first reel axle 71 and a
second connecting end 722 defined in the second reel axle 72. The
hose reel 2 may include two discs 80 in which each includes a hole
81 extending therethrough and with one hole 81 allowing insertion
of the first connecting end 712 and another hole 81 allowing
insertion of the second connecting end 722. The first connecting
end 712 further engages in a hole 32, which extends through the
opposing sides of the support wall 30, and the second connecting
end 722 further engages in a hole 22, which extends through the
first 201 and second 202 surfaces of the wall structure 20, to
enable the hose reel 2 to be connected between the support wall 30
and the wall structure 20. Each wall structure 20 includes two
holes 22 defined therein and except the hole 22 that the connecting
end 722 inserts through the other holes 22 include caps 23 fitted
therein to close their openings and make the carrier 1 with a more
appealing appearance. Additionally, the discs 80 are prevented from
relative rotation with respect to the first 712 and second 722
connecting ends, respectively. In the embodiment, each hole 82 is
of a circular shape but in order to prevent the disc 80 from
rotating relative to the first connecting end 712, the first reel
axle 71 includes two protuberances 713 extending adjacent to the
first connecting end 712 and the disc 80 includes two slots 82 that
allow insertion of the protuberances 713 and prevent the
protuberances 713 from movement therein. Likewise, the second reel
axle 72 includes two protuberances 723 extending adjacent to the
second connecting end 722 and the disc 80 includes two slots 82
that allow insertion of the protuberances 723 and prevent the
protuberances 723 from movement therein. In the embodiment, each
slot 82 is of a shape that has a larger diametrical section and a
smaller diametrical section connected to each other, and the larger
diametrical section is with a size that enables the related
protuberances 713, 722 to extend therethrough and the smaller
diametrical section is with a size that prevents the related
protuberances 713, 722 from moving from the larger diametrical
section.
[0025] In addition, the hose reel 2 is rotatable in a plane
transverse to the longitudinal length of the axle assembly 70, and
the longitudinal length of the axle assembly 70 is adjustable
because the first 71 and second 72 reel axles are telescopically
connected with each other. Moreover, the second reel axle 72 is
prevented from relative rotation with respect to the first reel
axle 71. In the embodiment, the first reel axle 71 includes an
inner circumferential wall of a circular cross-section and the
second reel axle 72 includes an outer circumferential wall engaged
in the inner circumferential wall but in order to prevent relative
rotation between the first 71 and second 72 reel axles, the first
reel axle 71 includes a plurality of abutting walls 711 extending
from the inner circumferential wall and the second reel axle 72
includes flat outer circumferential wall sections 721 abutted by
the abutting walls 711. In the embodiment, the outer
circumferential wall of the second reel axle 72 includes two flat
outer circumferential wall sections 721 formed oppositely.
Additionally, the second reel axle 72 includes two arcuate outer
circumferential wall sections formed oppositely and interconnecting
the flat outer circumferential wall sections 721.
[0026] Further, the first reel axle 71 has its outer
circumferential wall adapted to allow a hose to be wound thereon,
and a hose attaching member 714 mounted therein and including an
end exposed outside the outer circumferential wall for attaching
the hose to the first reel axle 71.
[0027] In order to facilitate rotation of the hose reel 2, a crank
90 is provided. The crank 90 includes a body, a sleeve 91 extending
therefrom and transversely to the body and inserting through the
hole 22 of the wall structure 20 and tight-fitting with the
connecting end 722. A fastener 911 may be used to insert through
the sleeve 91 and engage in an aperture 724 formed in the second
connecting end 722 to ensure secure engagement therebetween. The
crank 90 also includes a controlling handle 92 extending from and
transversely to the body. The sleeve 91 and the controlling handle
92 extend in opposite directions and are in non-coaxial
relationship, so the controlling handle 92 would extend away from
the wall structure 20 and that could allow its operation without
interference with structures of the carrier 1.
[0028] The carrier 1 further includes a support panel 60 including
a proximal end connected to one wall structure 20 and a distal end
connected to the other wall structure 20. In the embodiment, the
support panel 60 includes one slot 61 disposed at the proximal end
to allow one rib 21 of one wall structure 20 to engage therein, and
one slot 61 disposed at the distal end to allow one rib 21 of the
other wall structure 20 to engage therein. Additionally, the
support panel 60 includes two brackets 62 disposed at the proximal
end and the wall structure 20 includes two fixing member 25
extending from the second side 202 and inserting through the two
brackets 62, respectively, to ensure secure engagement
therebetween. Likewise, the support panel 60 includes two brackets
62 disposed at the distal end and the other wall structure 20
includes two fixing member 25 extending from the second side 202
and inserting through the two brackets 62, respectively, to ensure
secure engagement therebetween. Additionally, the support panel 60
includes a plurality of channels 63 each extending transversely to
its longitudinal length and between the proximal and distal ends
thereof. Furthermore, each channel 63 is with a width marginally
larger than a distance of the opposing sides of the support wall 30
so as to enable the channel 63 to be selectively disposed in one of
the channels 63. Thus, the support wall 30 is further supported and
retained in place by the support panel 60.
[0029] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope
of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying
claims.
* * * * *